The first location on Tuesday was Tabernas in the Sierra Alhamilla, where most of the scenes will be filmed.

The Hollywood film is based on the Book of Exodus, and shooting began on Tuesday at 7am, with locals present to cheer the team in Almería. Based on the life of Moses, the 20th Century Fox production will portray the relationship between the prophet and the Egyptian Pharoah Ramses I.

Joel Edgerton, last seen on the big screen in The Great Gatsby, will play Ramses, the pharaoh who is believed to have ruled over Egypt during Moses’ time. The full cast can be viewed on IMDb.

Digital Journal reported on the long queues for casting recently in the area. Now 500 job contracts have ensued in the area and €43 million has been invested by the production company in the region.

With a team comprising 400 technicians, Ridley's crew will stay in Almería until the beginning of December.

The Daily Mail has some impressive photos of the crew filming the production.